The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy and Having a Baby in Sweden

It can be very overwhelming to become pregnant in another country and figure out all that you need to know. Where do I find all of the information that I need? What will happen first? Where do I go? What will my appointments be like? How have others experienced giving birth in Sweden? Where do I go to buy products for baby? Have no fear, this ultimate guide compiles all of the information that you need to know regarding pregnancy and having a baby in Sweden.

Pregnancy Appointments and Maternity Care in Sweden

Sweden has very thorough maternity and pregnancy benefits, most of which are completely free. Even if you are told to visit with a doctor, or take an additional test (such as a glucose test), these are usually free to you. Most women will be cared for by a midwife, including up to delivery, unless there are complications that arise throughout the pregnancy, where you would be transferred to a doctor.

Midwife Appointments

At each midwife appointment (around 10 appointments throughout), they will check your blood pressure, measure your growing belly with a tape measure, and check your blood levels if needed, such as if you have low iron. You will often be asked to leave a urine sample, so that they can check your glucose levels as well. They will ask about your health overall, your stress, and how you are feeling about the pregnancy. At the first midwife appointment, they will take a more extensive intake of your health. They will ask many questions about your eating habits, alcohol and smoking habits, and your family history.

After month 7 of the pregnancy, you will visit your midwife every two weeks until baby arrives. They will go through your birth preferences, which are transferred to your file at your selected hospital. The midwife clinic may provide classes, such as breathing techniques and information on delivery in Sweden, and will care for you throughout the entire pregnancy. They will also deliver your baby at the hospital, although this is often done by a different team of midwives, depending on your clinic.

Ultrasounds, Scans, and Tests in Sweden

Your first ultrasound will be done around week 18 of your pregnancy. During this scan, they will check:

• if your baby is developing normally
• see where the placenta is lying in your uterus
• and tell you the gender of the baby (if you wish to know)

Most women will also do a KUB test during the ultrasound, which checks the thickness of space between the baby’s neck and uterus. Babies with Downs syndrome have a thicker amount of space around their neck, which can be seen by week 12-13. This test checks the risk of Downs. If you wish to do more intensive testing (such as amniocentesis or CVS), either because they give you a high risk number or because you need to be more certain of the likelihood of Downs or other abnormalities, these other tests are not free, but can be done after the KUB test results.

You may receive a secondary ultrasound, if you wish to pay out of pocket, or if there is any concern baby is not growing normally at another point in the pregnancy. You would return to the hospital you have selected for delivery and receive another ultrasound where the technician will measure the growth against the standards.

If at some point during your pregnancy, your blood sugar levels (glucose) are too high, or the measurements of your growing belly grow too quickly, the midwife team may recommend a glucose test to see if you have a risk of gestational diabetes.

Need to Knows for Pregnancy and Having a Baby in Sweden

It can be difficult to know what to do first after you find out you’re pregnant, and combing through the internet for all the right info can be time consuming and exhausting. We’ve compiled some essential info for you here on pregnancy in Sweden.

Essentials:

• Take your vitamins – start by going to (or ordering online) one of the prenatal vitamins (gravid – pregnancy in Swedish). It is also important to take folic acid as soon as possible once you find out you are pregnant. Your midwife will let you know when its safe to stop taking the folic acid, which is later on in the pregnancy. Once you see your midwife at the first appointment, ask them for other tips on which pills you should include.
• Download some apps – there are so many great pregnancy apps out there, and it can be helpful to download more than one so that you have more than one source of information. Some very smart Swedish midwives created the Preglife app, and it is available in English as well as Swedish. There are many, many more out there that can be really useful. Search in your app store or google play store, or ask other mammas to be for advice on their favorite ones.
• Save important contact numbers – not just your family for when you go into labor later, but also important info on your midwife clinic, the hospital, etc.

Good to Knows:

Take breathing classes – often your midwife clinic will provide classes that help you feel more prepared for labor and delivery. Check with your team if you want to participate.

• Prepare ahead of time for labor – this includes packing a hospital bag, figuring out how you will get to the hospital (via public transport? by car?), and what items you will need to bring home baby.
• Calculate your benefits from the health insurance in Sweden, Försäkringskassan – this is a bit confusing, but much of the information is in English. You can even use their calculator function to sort out how much you will receive based on your salary. Your midwife submits a certificate that confirms that you are pregnant and then you can go through the checklist on the website for receiving benefits, before and after baby is born. If you have questions, call them. They are very informed about the benefits and how to use them. Make sure you also ask what not to do, as many people do not realize that there are benefits that have expiration dates or specifics on what is allowed.

How to prepare for baby if you’re disabled

Follow these guidelines from Babycenter.com for traditional baby-proofing safeguards. Adapt as needed for your situation, such as:

• “Remove any loose carpeting or rugs; it can get caught in wheelchair wheels or cause slipping,” and, “Replace door knobs with levers. Door knobs can be difficult for a wheelchair-bound person to turn, but a lever can be easily pushed down,” instructs Angie’s List.
• Install grip bars in the bathroom to help you safely bathe and toilet train your child. You can also replace standard faucets with levered faucets for ease of use.
• Use non-slip mats and install skid-resistant flooring to help prevent falls and trips.
• Navigate your home as you would with your baby beforehand to ensure you haven’t missed any hazards.
• Buy a swivel car seat for your vehicle.
• You can purchase a side-opening crib for easy access if you are a wheelchair user.
• Research adjustable-height cribs, bouncers, changing tables, and high chair options. For example, you can purchase a chair that attaches to your dining room table instead of a traditional high chair.
• Hearing-impaired parents can buy adaptive baby monitors.
• Use textured tape or braille labels on bottles and baby food if you are visually impaired. You can find more tips and tools in this article from the National Federation of the Blind.

Other Suggestions

Some other suggestions curated from a variety of sources, recommended by experts and parents are:

1. Add lighting to your home, and clear all pathways of objects that cause slips, trips, and falls. Use non-slip rugs and mats, especially in the bathroom or other areas with tile floors.
2. Replace door knobs with handles and faucet knobs with levers.
3. Install grab bars in the bathroom shower or tub.
4. Purchase braille or textured tape to label your child’s food to make meal prep easier.
5. Install cabinet safety locks that work with a magnet release.

Baby Items

When shopping for items or looking for items to put on your baby registry, look for items such as:

• Baby monitors that vibrate and flash; talking baby thermometers.
• Multiple-use infant slings, trays, seats, and strollers that attach to a wheelchair.
• A safety belt or parent-child seat belt with different latching options.
• Devices that help to lift, transfer, carry and hold babies including ones specifically made for a walker that also function as a high chair.
• A safety harness that provides you with forearm support or a lifting harness that helps you distribute your child’s weight evenly.
• Car seats and safety belts with specialized release mechanisms to assist those with limited hand strength and dexterity.
• Bibs with velcro fasteners or rubberized bibs to catch spills.
• A feeding splint to support your wrist; adaptive feeding spoons, cups, bowls and baby bottles with velcro wraps.
• Adaptive nursing pillows.
• Adjustable high chairs that allow you to control the height for feeding or lifting your kiddo that have side-swing trays for easier access.
• Baby bathtubs with removable slings and contour headrests that you can secure to a movable cart or other surfaces if you’re in a wheelchair; baby bathtubs fitted with a hose.
• A bath visor to keep soapy water out of your baby’s eyes.
• Cribs whose entire (or half) side slides sideways to open.
• Crib gates that slide under the playcare center when it’s opened.

Most importantly, don’t forget to ask for help. People want to help, they just don’t always know exactly how. If you are comfortable asking for help, many will be happy to provide it. Check out disabledparenting.com for more tips and ideas.

Giving Birth in Sweden – What to Expect

Giving birth in a hospital anywhere can be stressful, but doing so in a country where you might not fully understand the language can be out-right daunting.

Tips for a successful birth

• Contact your midwife – when contractions begin, or if you’re unsure of what you’re feeling, contact your midwife team. There should be an “in-labor” option on their phone number that will take you directly to speak to someone. The hospital that you have chosen may not be available when the time comes, but you will still be given a place at a hospital no matter what. They will have already discussed your wishes for labor at a previous appointment, but you can always go over them again, or change them before or during labor.
• Language choices – Be upfront with your midwife team about your preferred language, request a translator if you need one, and make sure that you feel comfortable with your choices before going into the hospital.
• Wait until you can’t – It’s important to note that you cannot go to a Swedish hospital right away when contractions start. Your midwife will discuss this with you in more detail, but you should stay at home for as long as you are comfortable (although, really, you’re already uncomfortable), before journeying to the hospital, or until contractions are very close together. This is because while at home, you are surrounded by your comforts, and can (hopefully) take it a little easier. The hospital setting feels stressful for anyone, and that sort of stress is not helpful for you before labor. While at home, try to remain as calm as you can. Try:
  • Taking a bath at home to ease some tension and try to calm your breathing.
  • Practicing your breathing techniques.
  • Trying to rest. Sleep if you can.
  • Watching a movie or distract yourself in a way that helps you relax.
  • Taking a long walk with your partner or support person.

Head to the hospital:

• Bring items with you that are calming – although you cannot bring a candle, you can bring other items with you that bring you peace, such as twinkle lights, a comfortable robe or other clothes, photos, whatever you need to feel calm.
• Have a list ready for who to contact after birth – ask your partner or support person to be in charge of contacting family and friends from your approved list once baby is born.
• After check in, talk to the midwife who will deliver baby – double check that the midwife team is prepared with your preferences for birth and any medications/pain relief options. You will feel more at peace knowing that the team will take care of you the way you wish. The team mainly leaves you in peace and does check ins from time to time until the delivery is imminent.

After Birth – from hospital to home

It is easy to focus so much on the pregnancy and birth that one forgets that these are just the first steps of parenthood. So let’s look a little at what comes after you’ve met your little one for the first time.

What to expect immediately after birth

Once baby is born, the midwife team will immediately give baby to you and put him/her on your chest. This is to stimulate bonding (and breastmilk production if you’re choosing to nurse). Skin to skin contact with your newborn is prioritized in Sweden, and baby stays with you for the entirety of your stay in the hospital. If you need any other medical attention, such as suturing, most tears are fixed inside the delivery room. If you, for some reason, need to go to the operating room, your baby will stay with your partner or support person. Baby will be weighed and measured after you have had some time to bond, and the team prepares a lovely fika for you after birth.

If recovery is normal, many hospitals have a “baby hotel” where you and baby will go to fully recover. It is attached to the hospital, so you and your partner/support can stay there for a few nights while recovering. Other hospitals move you to a separate wing for full recovery before you are allowed to leave. During this time, they will monitor baby’s bilirubin levels, which is to check if baby has jaundice. The midwife team will also be available to give breastfeeding tips, if you desire them, and will check on your recovery as well. A doctor will do a general check of baby’s health after birth, and will test reflexes and make sure baby has all his/her fingers and toes, etc. You will receive a bill at this point, but it is minimal. Unlike in other countries, birth of your child will likely cost you not much more than 500sek, including overnight stays.

Going Home, starting visits at barnavårdcentralen

You will have a choice on where you wish to set as your BVC – barnavårdcentral in Swedish – which is your baby’s doctor once they go home with you. This team will come to your home within a week of birth to check baby is growing well, and will take a blood sample for tests. They are also able to answer any questions that have come up now that baby is born. Also, within the first ten days of birth, you will need to return to the hospital or hearing center to get baby’s hearing checked. At a few appointments, baby will receive vaccinations if you choose.

Others’ Stories

Curious how others experienced giving birth in Sweden? Here, we have compiled personal stories to help you feel more prepared to give birth in Sweden.

• A Personal Story by Hayu Hamemayu
• Story and Notes by Jessica Arifianto

What to Buy for Baby in Sweden

Knowing what to buy for baby can be confusing (and expensive!), so we’ve compiled some tips for you.

• Start with baby boxes – these are free boxes with products and coupons. Here are the links for some baby boxes: Baby Box, Libero Startbox and Babypaket.
• Second hand shopping – is big in Sweden, and for good reason. Kids’ items are sometimes insanely expensive to buy new, and often the use time doesn’t last long, making the price feel even more insane. Use
  • Facebook Marketplace has a lot of secondhand baby and kids items, as well as maternity clothes.
  • Shpock is an app and website where you can find sellers in your neighborhood.
  • Sellpy – on this site, you send in stuff to be sold (and bought), all items are listed according to a set standard of use.
• Practical websites – try websites like best in test (bäst-i-test in Swedish) and use google translate to search for items that have been reviewed. Other websites such as jollyroom, BabyV.se*, Babyshop*, Babyland* and babyworld have many items for baby, like toys, clothes, furniture, etc.
• Barn loppis – this is a flea market for all things baby and children. Clothes, accessories, toys – anything you can think of. They often are advertised on facebook, so take a look for some near you.

Important Items

• Clothes – Polarn och pyret* is a Swedish brand that has good quality clothes. They are a bit expensive, but also have a secondhand option. If you see these on facebook marketplace or at loppis, know they will last.
• Name stickers – these stickers go inside baby’s clothes in case they are lost, and are especially important once baby goes to preschool (förskola).  Filur namnlappar* is a big online provider of all types of name stickers. Or Namnlappskungen*. You can also get a special pen that doesn’t wash off.
• Pram/stroller – this is a big purchase, as they can be expensive, even when bought secondhand. Do your research, go to stores and try them out, talk to other parents for recommendations. Here are some brands that are very common in Sweden:
  • Buggaboo*
  • Emmaljunga
  • Britax
  • Cybex

Other helpful sites

• Najell* is a Swedish baby brand that according to them focuses on urban life. They offer pregnancy pillows, baby carriers baby nests and much more.
• Micki* is a Swedish toy brand that’s been around for over 80 years.
• Kokobello has a lot of ecological toys. They focus on open ended toys that keep kids entertained for a long time.
• Rekoshoppen focuses on toys that are totally free of chemicals. Both for little and bigger kids.
• Knattenplock’s*  mission is to inspire an exploratory approach to food so that more children can have a joyful and healthy relationship with food. Perhaps worth checking out if you are looking to inspire happy eating in your little one. And their website comes in English too. 

Thank you!

This guide was partly compiled by posts written by some fabulous mothers and writers: Ashley Taylor, Tatiana Sokolova, Hayu Hamemayu, Wafa Said, Jessica Arifianto, Charlotte Garbutt and Wemimo Ibidunmoye.